Cleaning tools with UV flash unit

• US 20060216193A1
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Clorox Company
• Original Assignee: Clorox Company
• Inventors: De Gopegui, Ricardo Ruiz, Bromberg, Steven E., Johnson, Kaj A., Delosreyes, Joyce, Garabedan, Aram Jr., Rinker, Edward B., Cumberland, Scott L., Minkler, Douglas J.
• Application Number:
  US11/086,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20060216193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A combination tool for cleaning and sanitizing a surface is disclosed. The tool includes a cleaning device and at least one UV flash unit. The cleaning device can be adapted for either wet or dry cleaning. The combination tool can also include a dispensing unit that can dispense a treatment agent. The tool can also include a sensor that can detect surface properties. In some arrangements, the tool includes a motive component that can propel the tool robotically.

Claims

1. A combination tool for cleaning and sanitizing a surface, comprising:

a cleaning device; and

a treatment unit adjacent the cleaning device, the treatment unit comprising at least one UV flash unit operative to emit pulses of ultraviolet radiation.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the cleaning device is adapted for dry cleaning.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the cleaning device is adapted for wet cleaning.

4. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a dispensing unit adjacent the cleaning device, the dispensing unit operative to dispense a treatment agent.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein the treatment unit comprises a xenon flash lamp.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the treatment unit comprises a semiconductor ultraviolet optical source.

7. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a battery unit operative to provide electric power to the tool.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein the battery unit is rechargeable.

9. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool has a size less than about 1 cubic foot.

10. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool has a size less than about 50 cubic inches.

11. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool has a size less than about 10 cubic inches.

12. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a control system in communication with at least the treatment unit, the control system operative to control one or more features selected from the group consisting of on/off function, UV wavelength, UV intensity, UV flash duration, and time interval between flashes.

13. The tool of claim 12 wherein the control system further comprises a UV radiation safety interlock.

14. The tool of claim 12 wherein the control system further comprises a microcontroller or a logic device.

15. The tool of claim 12 further comprising a sensor adjacent the tool, the sensor operative to transmit information about the surface to the control system.

16. The tool of claim 15 wherein the information about the surface is selected from the group consisting of hardness, texture, moisture, roughness, reflectivity, and combinations thereof.

17. The tool of claim 12 further comprising a feedback mechanism operative both to gather information about cleaning device operating conditions and to transmit the information to the control system.

18. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a motive component in communication with the combination tool, the motive component operative to propel the tool.

19. The tool of claim 18 wherein the motive component operates robotically according to preprogrammed instructions.

20. The tool of claim 19 wherein the preprogrammed instructions direct the motive component to move the tool over the surface so that all accessible regions of the surface are covered by the tool at least once.

21. A tool for treating a surface, comprising:

a treatment unit comprising at least one UV flash unit operative to emit pulses of ultraviolet radiation;

a control system in communication with the treatment unit; and

a sensor adjacent the treatment unit, the sensor operative to transmit information about the surface to the control system.

22. The tool of claim 21 wherein the tool is cordless.

23. The tool of claim 21 wherein the tool is a hand-held.

24. The tool of claim 21 further comprising a cleaning device adjacent the treatment unit.

25. The tool of claim 21 further comprising a motive component in communication with the combination tool, the motive component operative to propel the tool robotically.

26. A combination tool for cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces, comprising:

a cleaning device;

at least one ultraviolet flash unit adjacent the cleaning device, the ultraviolet flash unit capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation having at least one wavelength between about 200 and 310 μ

m and for a flash duration less than about 1 second.

27. The tool of claim 26 wherein the ultraviolet flash unit is capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation having a flash duration less than about 100 milliseconds.

28. A combination tool for cleaning and sanitizing a surface, comprising:

means for cleaning the surface; and

means for emitting pulses of UV radiation onto the surface, the means for emitting pulses of UV radiation adjacent the means for cleaning.

29. A method of treating a surface, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool comprising;

a UV flash treatment unit;

a control system in communication with the treatment unit; and

a sensor adjacent the treatment unit, the sensor operative to transmit information about the surface to the control system;

positioning the tool proximate the surface;

activating the treatment unit; and

moving the tool along the surface.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the tool further comprises a cleaning device adjacent the treatment unit.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the UV flash unit comprises xenon gas.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the UV flash unit comprises a semiconductor ultraviolet optical source.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of moving the tool comprises the steps of:

providing a robotic motive component to the tool; and

activating the robotic motive component.

34. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of applying a treatment agent to the surface before or during the step of moving the treatment unit along the surface.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the treatment agent enhances the treating of the surface.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of photocatalysts, antifingal agents, allergen agglomerators, anti-odor agents, flame retardants, antimicrobial agents, and electrostatic agents.